Obama Administration: Cabinet and Key Positions

Solis plays a key role in executing Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. As unemployment reached 8.5% in March, a 26-year-high, the Labor Department began distributing $7 billion in incentives to expand unemployment insurance and $4 billion for education, training, and reemployment services, in an effort to resuscitate states’ economies. Solis brings with her years of congressional experience representing the northwestern region of Dallas.

If confirmed for this position, Sebelius will have to hit the ground running. Upon announcing her nomination in March, Obama simultaneously released $155 million to support 126 new health centers around the nation. The facilities will help those without insurance obtain access to primary and preventative healthcare services. The Kansas governor will be responsible for executing the president’s crafting measures for affordable healthcare, expand access and improve the quality of health for all Americans. Sebelius is well versed in the field having worked across party lines in Kansas to devise fully supported healthcare programs.

Donovan is responsible for overseeing Obama’s Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, which includes $200 billion to bolster Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Since February, Donavan has moved forward in distributing $10 billion to states for the creation of green jobs, the improvement of public facilities in local communities, and the development, financing, and modernizing of public housing, among the laundry list of programs the department is responsible for.

LaHood is overseeing the building of new infrastructure, with a focus on increasing mass transit options as the nation moves toward sustainable transportation and land use. LaHood has already hit the ground running, allotting more than $229 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for aviation infrastructure, $36 million for the Central Phoenix/East Valley Light Rail Project in Arizona, and $258 million for U.S. airports for security, infrastructure, and capacity projects. He is also implementing new fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks for the 2011 model year.

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I have been waiting for the Obama administration to appoint members of the Congressional Black Caucus to key positions. He has appointed many members of Congress but has totally ignored the Black Caucus members.

When I look at his key appointees I get very disappointed with the lack of black faces. It seems like nothing has changed.